Why Forest Bathing?
Also known as forest therapy or shinrin-yoku, forest bathing is the practice of taking in the atmosphere of a forest or other natural environment through all of one's senses. For more detailed information and FAQ's, see this page.
Research has revealed numerous health benefits to this practice, some of which include:
Meet Your Guide
Carike Claassen
ANFT Certified Forest Therapy Guide
I believe that long, slow walks can change lives. As a certified forest therapy guide, I facilitate these types of walks for women, drawing on a combination of forest therapy techniques, insights from my own lived experience, and tools from my Playing Big facilitator's training. On a guided shinrin-yoku (forest bathing) walk with me, you’re invited to slow down, and instead of achieving anything in particular…just be.
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In essence, my vision for doing this work with women is to experience and facilitate interconnections, clear hearing of wisdom from the inner, human and more-than-human worlds, and aliveness to what is presented in the moment.
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I am certified as a forest therapy guide by the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy Guides and Programs. I am also a certified Wilderness First Responder, and completed my Playing Big Facilitator training with Tara Mohr in the United States. I bring additional context to this work from a decade as an academic economist, with a special interest in understanding the unique position of women in the economy.
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My love affair with long walks began as a child, when my father would often take me out on day hikes. Some of the long walks I have completed since then include the Amatola Trail, the Tankwa Camino, and figuring out that I really wanted to be a forest therapy guide when I grew up.
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I hope that you and I will take a walk together soon.
Testimonials
"It's absolutely worthwhile. You connect with God, nature and wonderful people. You appreciate life and nature and want others to enjoy it. It makes you realize you want to protect this wonderful nature."
Want to take a walk with me?
Contact Info
Address
info[at]aardwolfnature[dot]com
Potchefstroom, North-West Province, South Africa
